These obscure keyboard shortcuts make navigating Windows absurdly fast

If you spend a lot of time on Windows, it's easy to waste precious seconds every time you have to switch from keyboard to mouse. Opening folders, resizing windows, or jumping between apps can quickly become tedious, and it gets even slower if you're relying on a touchpad.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. By mastering a handful of Windows keyboard shortcuts, you can navigate File Explorer, manage taskbar items, switch between virtual desktops, and access essential system tools in seconds. I use them every day, and now that I've gotten the hang of them, I feel like I'm saving a small but significant chunk of time with every task.

5 File Explorer shortcuts

Navigate tabs and folders faster than ever

File Explorer can be so much faster once you ditch the mouse and start using keyboard shortcuts. These simple combos make opening, navigating, and organizing files feel effortless.

Some of these shortcuts for File Explorer tabs also work in your browser, so mastering them gives you double the speed boost across Windows.

4 Taskbar shortcuts

Command your taskbar with the keyboard

The Windows taskbar is something that everyone interacts with frequently. Once you learn its keyboard shortcuts, switching between programs, opening pinned apps, and managing multiple windows won't require reaching for the mouse.

3 Virtual desktop shortcuts

Move between desktops in a flash

Virtual desktops is one of Windows' most useful productivity features. They let you create separate workspaces—one for work, one for personal tasks, or even one just for gaming—and switch between them in seconds. If you use them often like I do, a few keyboard shortcuts can help you manage and navigate between them even faster.

2 Window management shortcuts

Snap, resize, and switch windows like a pro

Anyone using a large monitor knows how useful Windows' Snap Layouts can be. They let you interact with multiple apps at once and make the most of your screen space. With just a few keyboard shortcuts, you can snap, resize, or switch windows without ever dragging anything around.

1 Miscellaneous but useful shortcuts

Hidden shortcuts that save serious time

Some of my favorite shortcuts don't fit neatly into a category, but they're absolute lifesavers for frequently used Windows features and tools.

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Mastering Windows keyboard shortcuts may seem like a small thing, but it can completely transform the way you use your PC. Beyond Windows itself, getting familiar with the keyboard shortcuts for the apps and browsers you use every day can make your workflow even faster and more efficient.